Swimming and diving - Seniors provide highlights in final home dual

NORTHFIELD, VT. – Norwich University registered a split
against Elms College to conclude its 2011-12 dual campaign Jan.
27.

At the conclusion of the men’s 154-80 win over the
visiting Blazers and the women’s hard-fought 135-80 defeat,
Coach Laura Dunn sang the praises of her seven seniors.

“They were awesome tonight,” she said. “I just
can’t say enough about what they’ve done for both teams
this year.”

Dunn pointed to a near miss on the men’s side for the pool
record in the 400-yard freestyle relay. NU recorded a 3:19.29, just
nine-hundredths off the mark. Mike Zemanek (Voorheesville, N.Y.),
among the seniors’ group that was honored prior to the meet,
led off the relay that included the underclassman trio of
sophomores Brandon Kelly (Centreville, Md.) and Patrick Bowden
(Cumberland, Me.) and freshman Lance Webster (Windham, Me.).
NU’s coach also mentioned individual standout efforts from
junior Andrew Grubbs (500-yard freestyle – 5:23.87) and
senior Jason Leonard (Jackson, N.J.) (100-yard butterfly –
59.76 seconds) that were among the team’s 11 event
victories.

“The men’s performances and energy were incredible
tonight,” Dunn said. “What we did helps set up well for
the preparations for the (New England Intercollegiate Swimming and
Diving Association) Championships in a few weeks.”

“I was also happy to see (sophomore) Vikki Sabel
(Watertown, Conn.) make the NEISDA ‘A’ cut in the
1650-yard freestyle,” Dunn said. “The team had a number
of best times and was looking great for the final dual meet of the
season.

“Overall, it was another night of awesome swimming from so
many different people,” she added.

Norwich now prepares for the 2012 NEISDA Championships. The
two-weekend event begins Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11 and 12, in
the pool at UMass-Dartmouth and concludes Saturday and Sunday, Feb.
18 and 19, at the pool at UVAC in White River Junction.